12 stats that show the importance of social inclusion for innovation, society and performance.

UK firms have woken up to the power of diversity and the reality of the ‘class ceiling’. Having socially and ethnically diverse workforces and executive teams have been proven to lead to innovation, greater productivity, improved culture and profitability.

Here are 12 reasons why social inclusion is vital for both business success an equal opportunity for all.

1. Lower salaries for less privileged backgrounds

People from working-class backgrounds who enter high-status occupations earn 17% less on average than individuals from privileged backgrounds. Office of National Statistics.

2. Diversity in fast-growing tech

50% of the UK’s top ten 3 fastest growing tech companies named in the Deloitte 20th annual Fast 50 List 2017 had at least one ethnic minority person on their board/leadership team. Colour In Tech | Deloitte.

3. Recruitment bias

People with Chinese, Indian or Pakistani-sounding names are 28% less likely to be invited to an interview than candidates with English-sounding names. We Forum.